Manufacturer or Customer Responsibility 1

[BChemE]

Is it the responsibility of the manufacturer of fittings or that of the customer (who is buying the fittings with the intent of welding them onto a system they have designed) to get ASME certified?

I work for a company that manufactures fittings for the vacuum industry but we've tested them internally to upwards of 3000 PSI--customers have posed the question whether our products are ASME certified.

Thanks.

 

[deanc]

It is the responsbility of the ASME certificate holder to use acceptable parts.

Is your product built to a ANSI standard? If so tell your ASME customer to look in the Forward and Introduction of Section II A and II B.

 

[BChemE]

Thanks Deanc.

As an add-on to my previous post and your reply:

Is it required that the manufacturer hold an ASME certificate if the fittings are rated for use in pressure systems?

Basically we would like to advertise that our fittings have been tested to 3000 PSI but I am having trouble justifying to my supervisors exactly where the law comes into play and under what circumstance we should be certified. A straight answer has been difficult to get, even from an AI--maybe because of my lack of ASME Code knowledge.

Thanks again.

 

[deanc]

Is your part welded or brazed? If not there is no point for an ASME rating. ASME certifcates are for "construction". Go after a ANSI rating. Let the certifcate holder do rest.

 

[BChemE]

The parts we manufacture are welded internally (for example, flanges are welded to tubing on a cross, T, elbow etc.) However, we do not weld these directly onto pressure vessels/systems for customers.

Did you specifically mean if we weld these onto systems for customers?

I agree with your ANSI rating suggestion, thank.

 

[deanc]

Try and get a copy of ASME SecVIII Div1 UG-11 and esp.
UG-11(c). This will give some knowledge of the process.

Also have your customer look at U-1(c) as the weld may be in a location which it may be exempt. See the interps. for the same.

Still think ANSI may be your best answer.

 

[bvi]

Your question is not really specific enough. Deanc is answering the question with respect to incorporation in an ASME pressure vessel. The answers would be different if you are selling the parts for inclusion in piping, e.g. ASME B31.1 or B31.3 piping systems.

For piping, you can comply with a listed standard, and fully comply with that standard (e.g. B16.9) and mark the parts accordingly. That is your responsibility. For unlisted components, (i.e. you are not manufacturing the part in accordance with a standard listed in the code (in Chapter IV of the Code), you are responsible for making sure that the part is in compliance with the code requirements and having documentation that demonstrates that compliance. The designer/owner should review your documentation to assure themselves that your parts actually comply with the code.

For piping codes, there is no "certification" of the fittings by ASME in general, either those of listed standards or unlisted components, although some jurisdictions, such as in Canada, require registration with and approval by the jurisdiction.

This response is not for nuclear piping, which is governed by the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, not ASME B31 piping codes.